Microsoft and Sony have both said that they expect to sell their next-gen games for the same price we’ve been paying for ages; $60. In South Africa, that $60 translates to anything between R499 and R799, depending on who’s brought them in. third party publishers, however, can charge what they like – and it seems that EA at least will be bumping up its game prices.
"At present, the only publisher to confirm costs of their next generation games are EA, attaching a price of £54.99,” says UK’s Game. The usual recommended retail prices for games in the UK is £49.99.
And you though that removing online passes was a gesture of goodwill? Hah!
That translates to nearly $82 with current exchanges – but Europe (and by extension, South Africa) is always subject to extra taxes and levies. It means our friends across the pond could expect to pay $70 for their next-gen EA games, and we could be looking at about R800 a game.
Hopefully, the price bump isn’t a global one – and if it is, that no other publishers follow suit. Gaming’s already bloody well expensive enough as it is.
Last Updated: July 10, 2013
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 10, 2013 at 12:08
Tax is increasing, Petrol is going up again, now Games’ prices are increasing ……. do these people think we just piss money? … This is why used games are still important…F**k this, I’m playing emulator games on my phone for the rest of my life.
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 12:11
But Umar you tried that before….. It failed This is me your phone talking I hacked this account…..
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 10, 2013 at 12:14
Don’t talk back to me phone. You’re just a phone, you have no rights
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 12:29
in the year 2018 all humans will drive scooters…… and have scooter mobs and have scooter tsotsis that rob you on their scooters
Ultimo_Cleric N7
July 10, 2013 at 12:08
What a shock. Good luck selling those titles EA. Other than Mass Effect I wont even bother.
Weanerdog
July 10, 2013 at 12:12
Yip the poor kids in ‘merica will have to do at least 7 hours of babysitting to afford a game now
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 12:17
the truth
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 12:35
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Well done SIR!
silverscorpio
July 10, 2013 at 13:26
I love this.
FoxOneZA - X-Therminator
July 10, 2013 at 12:20
With fuel prices going up monthly and the Rand on a free-fall, we can expect gaming prices in general to go up.
FoxOneZA - X-Therminator
July 10, 2013 at 12:22
And vice versa for votes.
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 12:31
At this rate can only wonder what the Ps4 will cost…….
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 12:36
Not sure why you get downvotes, but here is an up.
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 12:44
Economics confuses some people.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 10, 2013 at 12:45
Indeed!
FoxOneZA - X-Therminator
July 10, 2013 at 12:45
My *erm* lack of lurv for my other console(PS3) has gotten me a reputation over here. But that’s being going on since 2006 😀
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 10, 2013 at 12:51
Pfft you redeemed yourself by liking pro-wrestling.
FoxOneZA - X-Therminator
July 10, 2013 at 13:08
Honky Tonk Man FTW!!!
CypherGate
July 10, 2013 at 12:25
Seems we will need to be making personal loans in order to buy games now lol
TiMsTeR1033
July 10, 2013 at 12:35
there is an amazing thing called a Cna account in which you can buy games 🙂
CypherGate
July 10, 2013 at 12:48
lol true true, but its just crazy how expensive games has gotten. I mean Apart from my other responsibilities Ill most probably only be able to buy one game a month or two. So in turn means game reviews and demos has become a lot more important now than ever before in making the right choice in the purchase! 🙂
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 10, 2013 at 12:27
In a parallel universe, more expensive goods also sell more. Sadly, in this universe, the laws of supply and demand are fairly well established; Increase the price, you get less sales, and for games it also means less title sales in general.
So, instead of Johnny Longbottom buying 4 games this month, Poor Johnny will only buy one or two. Next month, Johnny might not even buy any games, where previously he would have given that strange wildcard from a no-name developer a chance.
Instead, Johnny finds himself downloading off the internet.
Poor Johnny Longbottom…. fighting greed through criminal actions! 🙁
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 12:37
Ahh, some more posts coming in from you. You were absent for a while, I hope this new, longer chain, is more comfortable trololo
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 10, 2013 at 12:40
Yeah 🙁 even my youtube channel saw no action this last week, even though I promised a video for Monday.
I really hate work! 🙁
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 12:49
You made promises you couldn’t keep… I was up till 5am Tuesday morning waiting on your youtube posting and only got to bed after kicking some kittens…
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 10, 2013 at 12:51
🙁 A thousand apologies. 🙁
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 12:39
Don’t feel bad Johnny, EA games are better quality – they said so!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 10, 2013 at 12:44
You pay a little extra because they add a dollop of love and caring into every game. EA cares about you, not your wallet…. cough!
😛
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 10, 2013 at 12:28
What!? hahahahaaha. Guess EA made up my mind for me on whether to support them or not. Not happening EA!
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 12:34
I called this ages ago. They will do it, it’s EA!
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 12:40
All together on a count of 3… I TOLD YOU SO!
RinceWind
July 10, 2013 at 12:45
I had an argument with someone who was saying I was talking BS about this… Oh, to be right Mmmm *warm feeling
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 10, 2013 at 12:50
Ever since they dropped the online pass, it was pretty obvious that they’re either going to saddle their games with cloud-based DRM or/and they’re going to increase game prices.
Funny thing is, EA is looking very sick these days, and all of this reeks of corporate MBA-misguided desperation.
My stance is simple, if the corner store has to restructure itself (drop employees, cut salaries, cut prices etc.) to remain profitable, then EA doesn’t get a pass. They need to find a way to remain profitable, without trying to alienate their fans by nickle and diming them. So Far, it seems these guys are heading towards a most spectacular fail!
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 12:52
Quiet you! It’s the fault of used games & pirates!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 10, 2013 at 12:53
Yaarr! Them pirates and used game sales 😛
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 10, 2013 at 12:38
Right with you there buddy!
Trevor Davies
July 10, 2013 at 12:43
I see a 3rd consecutive gold turd in EA’s future. At this rate it’ll stop being a floating trophy.
Slade Boender
July 10, 2013 at 12:54
As near as makes no difference, the cost of a new Wii for a game? You okes must be having a laugh.
matthurstrsa
July 10, 2013 at 13:11
“Hopefully, the price bump isn’t a global one”
They can just bump up Australia, I hear they’ll pay anything for games.
Carlyle Fife
July 10, 2013 at 13:14
**Xkey for Xbox one top seller in SA
silverscorpio
July 10, 2013 at 13:19
I was expecting this at least from the publishers. Sony says that development costs should decrease and EA says it will increase. Not sure where Microsoft stands in this. Who is telling the truth?
Skyblue
July 10, 2013 at 13:23
They’re all liars who produce goods for profit. No-one can be trusted when it comes to money.
Wyzak
July 10, 2013 at 13:22
And that is why the second hand market flourishes.
silverscorpio
July 10, 2013 at 13:22
Definitely.
Sageville
July 10, 2013 at 13:29
Oh noes, guess I won’t be buying Madden 37.
Aussious
July 10, 2013 at 13:30
And that’s why we have preplayed…
Xelus
July 10, 2013 at 14:27
Just another reason for EA to become even more sloppy and steal even more from us. I want more quality bang for my buck, I ain’t payin for a dos game in 2013 and on. Poor excuse from them, didn’t expect this much from them, but a hell of a lot less. XD